French luxury brand Rabanne has extended its agreement with David Jones, launching ready-to-wear in the department store for the first time.
The category will roll out online and in a dedicated pop-up store at David Jones’ Elizabeth Street flagship in Sydney.
The deal comes after a 20-year partnership between David Jones and the luxury maison, adding to fragrance, handbags and accessories distribution in the department store.
The move comes at a significant time for the 60-year-old French luxury house, which rebranded to “Rabanne” during Paris Fashion Week and dropped 'Paco' from its name.
David Jones GM of womenswear, footwear and accessories Bridget Veals said it is a major step for the French fashion house in the Australian market.
"Rabanne has an iconic and immediately recognisable aesthetic, which over the years has moved away from its futuristic roots into a more accessible and contemporary identity that’s easy to wear and keep in your wardrobe,” Veals said.
“Its rebranding has also seen the introduction of new materials and product categories, including denim, cotton, and knitwear, which we know our customers will love.”
Rabanne’s fragrances has been the key category for sale in the Australian market, which is sold in David Jones, Myer, Sephora, Chemist Warehouse, alongside other key stockists.
The brand's Autumn/Winter 2023 collection, to be unveiled at David Jones Sydney, includes dresses, tops, trousers, skirts and jeans, with accessories such as its chainmail ‘The 1969 Bag’.
“Paco Rabanne was a technician with a technical background, an architect, driven by time, fully committed to the here and now, deeply in love with our time and eager to express it through his work and what we create,” Rabanne creative director Julien Dossena said.
“In this modern material awakening, I have channelled the historic friendship between Paco Rabanne and Salvador Dalí: two Spanish visionaries linked by their radical artistic expression.
“From women outfitted in contemporary armour to landscapes unbound by natural laws, they created parallel and, at times, overlapping worlds that were at once magical, mystic and mysterious.”
The collection adds to David Jones’ international designer range, including Chloe, Proenza Schouler, Dolce & Gabanna, Saint Laurent, Altuzarra, Balenciaga and Valentino.
The new Rabanne range is now available online and at the David Jones pop-up until Sunday, November 5.